Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 6 (ANI): Rejecting the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)'s demand for his resignation over alleged involvement in Suryanelli rape case, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien on Wednesday said that the demand for a reinvestigation into the case is a political conspiracy against him.

Reacting to the CPI-M's demand of a reinvestigation into the 1996 case, the veteran Congress leader from Kerala said: "If the allegations were new and inquiry were in progress, then the question of resignation is relevant. But the allegations levelled are already a settled matter and the Supreme Court has given a final order in case. It is political conspiracy by CPI-M to gain political benefits."

Earlier in the day, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat demanded a reinvestigation in the case and asked Kurien to step down from his office.

According to media reports, Kurien's name figured again in connection with the case after the victim wrote to her advocate in Delhi to explore the possibility of filing a review petition, seeking a fresh probe against the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman.

A total of 42 men were accused of raping the 16-year-old girl, who hailed from Suryanelli in Kerala's Idukki District. Brutally raped for 45 days, she was then told by the perpetrators to return home and keep mum. (ANI)

--

Get stories like this on the Yahoo app and discover more every day.Download it now.